Thermostat user interface

ABSTRACT

An occupancy sensing electronic thermostat is described that includes a thermostat body, an electronic display that is viewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy and an infrared energy directing element formed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body. The passive infrared sensor may be positioned behind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energy is directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. The thermostat may also include a temperature sensor and a microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based on measurements from the passive infrared sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/457,797 filed on Aug. 12, 2014. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/457,797 is a continuation of and claims priorityto Ser. No. 14/290,760 filed on May 29, 2014. U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/290,760 is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/038,270, filed on Sep. 26, 2013 whichissued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,766,194. U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/038,270 is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/624,881 filed on Sep. 21, 2012, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 8,558,179. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/624,881claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 61/627,996 filed on Oct.21, 2011. Priority to each of these patent applications is claimed andeach of these patent applications is hereby incorporated by referencefor all purposes.

FIELD

This patent specification relates to systems, methods, and relatedcomputer program products for the monitoring and control ofenergy-consuming systems or other resource-consuming systems. Moreparticularly, this patent specification relates to an occupancy sensingthermostat having an external housing with motion detection componentsintegrated therewith.

BACKGROUND

In designing a wall-mounted thermostat, it is desirable to have athermostat that has a visually pleasing, smooth, sleek and roundedexterior appearance while at the same time including one or more sensorsfor detecting occupancy and/or users. It is also desirable not to havevisible front facing vents or grilles.

It is to be appreciated that although exemplary embodiments arepresented herein for the particular context of HVAC system control,there are a wide variety of other resource usage contexts for which theembodiments are readily applicable including, but not limited to, waterusage, air usage, the usage of other natural resources, and the usage ofother (i.e., non-HVAC-related) forms of energy, as would be apparent tothe skilled artisan in view of the present disclosure. Therefore, suchapplication of the embodiments in such other resource usage contexts isnot outside the scope of the present teachings.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, an occupancy sensing electronic thermostatmay include a thermostat body, an electronic display that is viewable bya user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensor formeasuring infrared energy, and an infrared energy directing elementformed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body andextending across only a portion of the front surface of the thermostatbody. In some embodiments, the passive infrared sensor may be positionedbehind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energyis directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. Thethermostat may also include a first temperature sensor in thermalcommunication with the front surface of the thermostat body for makingtemperature measurements used for a calculating an ambient temperature.The thermostat may additionally include a second temperature sensorpositioned within the thermostat body in a location closer than thefirst temperature sensor to one or more heat generating componentswithin the thermostat body, where the calculation of ambient temperatureis based at least in part on a comparison between measurements from thefirst and second temperature sensors. The thermostat may further includea microprocessor programmed to detect occupancy based at least in parton measurements made by the passive infrared sensor.

According to another embodiment, an occupancy sensing electronicthermostat may include a thermostat body, an electronic display that isviewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensorfor measuring infrared energy, and an infrared energy directing elementformed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body andextending across only a portion of the front surface of the thermostatbody. In some embodiments, the passive infrared sensor may be positionedbehind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energyis directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. Thethermostat may also include a microprocessor programmed to detectoccupancy based at least in part on measurements made by the passiveinfrared sensor. The thermostat may additionally include a secondpassive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy, where theinfrared energy directing element is shaped and the second passiveinfrared sensor is positioned such that it is provided with asubstantially downwardly directed field of view when the thermostat iswall mounted, and the microprocessor is programmed to detect anapproaching user that will likely directly interact with the thermostatbased at least in part on the measurements made by the second passiveinfrared sensor.

According to another embodiment, an occupancy sensing electronicthermostat may include a thermostat body, an electronic display that isviewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensorfor measuring infrared energy, and an infrared energy directing elementformed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body andextending across only a portion of the front surface of the thermostatbody. In some embodiments, the passive infrared sensor may be positionedbehind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energyis directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. Thethermostat may also include a microprocessor programmed to detectoccupancy based at least in part on measurements made by the passiveinfrared sensor. The thermostat may additionally include a secondpassive infrared sensor for measuring infrared energy. The infraredenergy directing element may be shaped and the second passive infraredsensor may be positioned such that it is provided with a substantiallydownwardly directed field of view when the thermostat is wall mounted,and the microprocessor may be further programmed to detect anapproaching user that will likely directly interact with the thermostatbased at least in part on the measurements made by the second passiveinfrared sensor.

According to another embodiment, an occupancy sensing electronicthermostat may include a thermostat body, an electronic display that isviewable by a user in front of the thermostat, a passive infrared sensorfor measuring infrared energy, and an infrared energy directing elementformed integrally with a front surface of the thermostat body andextending across only a portion of the front surface of the thermostatbody. In some embodiments, the passive infrared sensor may be positionedbehind the infrared energy directing element such that infrared energyis directed thereonto by the infrared energy directing element. Thethermostat may also include one or more energy consuming thermostatcomponents that have active and inactive states, the one or morecomponents consuming less energy in the inactive states than in theactive states, where the transition from inactive to active states isbased at least in part on measurements from the passive infrared sensor.

It will be appreciated that these systems and methods are novel, as areapplications thereof and many of the components, systems, methods andalgorithms employed and included therein. It should be appreciated thatembodiments of the presently described inventive body of work can beimplemented in numerous ways, including as processes, apparata, systems,devices, methods, computer readable media, computational algorithms,embedded or distributed software and/or as a combination thereof.Several illustrative embodiments are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive body of work will be readily understood by referring tothe following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a smart home environment within whichone or more of the devices, methods, systems, services, and/or computerprogram products described further herein can be applicable;

FIG. 2 illustrates a network-level view of an extensible devices andservices platform with which the smart home of FIG. 1 can be integrated,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an abstracted functional view of the extensibledevices and services platform of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system, according to someembodiments;

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate a thermostat having a visually pleasing, smooth,sleek and rounded exterior appearance while at the same time includingone or more sensors for detecting occupancy and/or users, according tosome embodiments;

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of a thermostat with respect to its two main components,according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 6C-6D illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the head unit with respect to its primary components,according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 6E-6F illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the head unit frontal assembly with respect to itsprimary components, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 6G-6H illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the back plate unit with respect to its primarycomponents, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 7A-7B show front and rear perspective views, respectively, of apassive infrared sensor board, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 7C-7D show front and rear perspective views, respectively, of aFresnel lens, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 7E-7F are a side view and cross section view, respectively,showing the relative positioning of passive infrared sensors and aFresnel lens, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 8A-8B are diagrams illustrating considerations in designingforward looking and downward looking passive infrared sensor fields ofview, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 9A-9C show further detail of design consideration for a Fresnellens, according to some embodiments; and

FIGS. 10A-10B are perspective and cross-section views, respectively,showing a temperature sensor mounted on a daughter board and thermallycoupled to the Fresnel lens, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of this patent specification relates to the subjectmatter of the following commonly assigned applications, each of which isincorporated by reference herein: U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108 filed Aug.17, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/466,026 filed May 7, 2012; and InternationalApplication Ser. No. PCT/US12/00007 filed Jan. 3, 2012. The subjectmatter of this patent specification further relates to the subjectmatter of the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 13/624,811 entitled“Thermostat With Ring-Shaped Control Member” filed even date herewith,which is incorporated by reference herein. The subject matter of thispatent specification further relates to the subject matter of thecommonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 13/624,878 entitled “Thermostat WithWiring Terminals Configured for Spatial Compactness and Ease of WireInstallation” filed even date herewith, which is incorporated byreference herein. The above-referenced patent applications arecollectively referenced herein as “the commonly assigned incorporatedapplications.”

A detailed description of the inventive body of work is provided herein.While several embodiments are described, it should be understood thatthe inventive body of work is not limited to any one embodiment, butinstead encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, andequivalents. In addition, while numerous specific details are set forthin the following description in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the inventive body of work, some embodiments can bepracticed without some or all of these details. Moreover, for thepurpose of clarity, certain technical material that is known in therelated art has not been described in detail in order to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the inventive body of work.

As used herein the term “HVAC” includes systems providing both heatingand cooling, heating only, cooling only, as well as systems that provideother occupant comfort and/or conditioning functionality such ashumidification, dehumidification and ventilation.

As used herein the terms power “harvesting,” “sharing” and “stealing”when referring to HVAC thermostats all refer to thermostats that aredesigned to derive power from the power transformer through theequipment load without using a direct or common wire source directlyfrom the transformer.

As used herein the term “residential” when referring to an HVAC systemmeans a type of HVAC system that is suitable to heat, cool and/orotherwise condition the interior of a building that is primarily used asa single family dwelling. An example of a cooling system that would beconsidered residential would have a cooling capacity of less than about5 tons of refrigeration (1 ton of refrigeration=12,000 Btu/h).

As used herein the term “light commercial” when referring to an HVACsystem means a type of HVAC system that is suitable to heat, cool and/orotherwise condition the interior of a building that is primarily usedfor commercial purposes, but is of a size and construction that aresidential HVAC system is considered suitable. An example of a coolingsystem that would be considered residential would have a coolingcapacity of less than about 5 tons of refrigeration.

As used herein the term “thermostat” means a device or system forregulating parameters such as temperature and/or humidity within atleast a part of an enclosure. The term “thermostat” may include acontrol unit for a heating and/or cooling system or a component part ofa heater or air conditioner. As used herein the term “thermostat” canalso refer generally to a versatile sensing and control unit (VSCU unit)that is configured and adapted to provide sophisticated, customized,energy-saving HVAC control functionality while at the same time beingvisually appealing, non-intimidating, elegant to behold, anddelightfully easy to use.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a smart home environment within whichone or more of the devices, methods, systems, services, and/or computerprogram products described further herein can be applicable. Thedepicted smart home environment includes a structure 150, which caninclude, e.g., a house, office building, garage, or mobile home. It willbe appreciated that devices can also be integrated into a smart homeenvironment that does not include an entire structure 150, such as anapartment, condominium, or office space. Further, the smart homeenvironment can control and/or be coupled to devices outside of theactual structure 150. Indeed, several devices in the smart homeenvironment need not physically be within the structure 150 at all. Forexample, a device controlling a pool heater or irrigation system can belocated outside of the structure 150.

The depicted structure 150 includes a plurality of rooms 152, separatedat least partly from each other via walls 154. The walls 154 can includeinterior walls or exterior walls. Each room can further include a floor156 and a ceiling 158. Devices can be mounted on, integrated with and/orsupported by a wall 154, floor or ceiling.

The smart home depicted in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of devices,including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices that canintegrate seamlessly with each other and/or with cloud-based serversystems to provide any of a variety of useful smart home objectives.One, more or each of the devices illustrated in the smart homeenvironment and/or in the figure can include one or more sensors, a userinterface, a power supply, a communications component, a modularity unitand intelligent software as described herein. Examples of devices areshown in FIG. 1.

An intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected thermostat 102 candetect ambient climate characteristics (e.g., temperature and/orhumidity) and control a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC)system 103. One or more intelligent, network-connected, multi-sensinghazard detection units 104 can detect the presence of a hazardoussubstance and/or a hazardous condition in the home environment (e.g.,smoke, fire, or carbon monoxide). One or more intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected entryway interface devices 106, whichcan be termed a “smart doorbell”, can detect a person's approach to ordeparture from a location, control audible functionality, announce aperson's approach or departure via audio or visual means, or controlsettings on a security system (e.g., to activate or deactivate thesecurity system).

Each of a plurality of intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connectedwall light switches 108 can detect ambient lighting conditions, detectroom-occupancy states and control a power and/or dim state of one ormore lights. In some instances, light switches 108 can further oralternatively control a power state or speed of a fan, such as a ceilingfan. Each of a plurality of intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected wall plug interfaces 110 can detect occupancy of aroom or enclosure and control supply of power to one or more wall plugs(e.g., such that power is not supplied to the plug if nobody is athome). The smart home may further include a plurality of intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected appliances 112, such as refrigerators,stoves and/or ovens, televisions, washers, dryers, lights (inside and/oroutside the structure 150), stereos, intercom systems, garage-dooropeners, floor fans, ceiling fans, whole-house fans, wall airconditioners, pool heaters 114, irrigation systems 116, security systems(including security system components such as cameras, motion detectorsand window/door sensors), and so forth. While descriptions of FIG. 1 canidentify specific sensors and functionalities associated with specificdevices, it will be appreciated that any of a variety of sensors andfunctionalities (such as those described throughout the specification)can be integrated into the device.

In addition to containing processing and sensing capabilities, each ofthe devices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116 can be capable ofdata communications and information sharing with any other of thedevices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116, as well as to anycloud server or any other device that is network-connected anywhere inthe world. The devices can send and receive communications via any of avariety of custom or standard wireless protocols (Wi-Fi, ZigBee,6LoWPAN, etc.) and/or any of a variety of custom or standard wiredprotocols (CAT6 Ethernet, HomePlug, etc.). The wall plug interfaces 110can serve as wireless or wired repeaters, and/or can function as bridgesbetween (i) devices plugged into AC outlets and communicating usingHomeplug or other power line protocol, and (ii) devices that not pluggedinto AC outlets.

For example, a first device can communicate with a second device via awireless router 160. A device can further communicate with remotedevices via a connection to a network, such as the Internet 162. Throughthe Internet 162, the device can communicate with a central server or acloud-computing system 164. The central server or cloud-computing system164 can be associated with a manufacturer, support entity or serviceprovider associated with the device. For one embodiment, a user may beable to contact customer support using a device itself rather thanneeding to use other communication means such as a telephone orInternet-connected computer. Further, software updates can beautomatically sent from the central server or cloud-computing system 164to devices (e.g., when available, when purchased, or at routineintervals).

By virtue of network connectivity, one or more of the smart-home devicesof FIG. 1 can further allow a user to interact with the device even ifthe user is not proximate to the device. For example, a user cancommunicate with a device using a computer (e.g., a desktop computer,laptop computer, or tablet) or other portable electronic device (e.g., asmartphone). A webpage or app can be configured to receivecommunications from the user and control the device based on thecommunications and/or to present information about the device'soperation to the user. For example, the user can view a current setpointtemperature for a device and adjust it using a computer. The user can bein the structure during this remote communication or outside thestructure.

The smart home also can include a variety of non-communicating legacyappliances 140, such as old conventional washer/dryers, refrigerators,and the like which can be controlled, albeit coarsely (ON/OFF), byvirtue of the wall plug interfaces 110. The smart home can furtherinclude a variety of partially communicating legacy appliances 142, suchas IR-controlled wall air conditioners or other IR-controlled devices,which can be controlled by IR signals provided by the hazard detectionunits 104 or the light switches 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates a network-level view of an extensible devices andservices platform with which the smart home of FIG. 1 can be integrated,according to some embodiments. Each of the intelligent,network-connected devices from FIG. 1 can communicate with one or moreremote central servers or cloud computing systems 164. The communicationcan be enabled by establishing connection to the Internet 162 eitherdirectly (for example, using 3G/4G connectivity to a wireless carrier),though a hubbed network (which can be scheme ranging from a simplewireless router, for example, up to and including an intelligent,dedicated whole-home control node), or through any combination thereof.

The central server or cloud-computing system 164 can collect operationdata 202 from the smart home devices. For example, the devices canroutinely transmit operation data or can transmit operation data inspecific instances (e.g., when requesting customer support). The centralserver or cloud-computing architecture 164 can further provide one ormore services 204. The services 204 can include, e.g., software update,customer support, sensor data collection/logging, remote access, remoteor distributed control, or use suggestions (e.g., based on collectedoperation data 204 to improve performance, reduce utility cost, etc.).Data associated with the services 204 can be stored at the centralserver or cloud-computing system 164 and the central server orcloud-computing system 164 can retrieve and transmit the data at anappropriate time (e.g., at regular intervals, upon receiving requestfrom a user, etc.).

One salient feature of the described extensible devices and servicesplatform, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is a processing engines 206, whichcan be concentrated at a single server or distributed among severaldifferent computing entities without limitation. Processing engines 206can include engines configured to receive data from a set of devices(e.g., via the Internet or a hubbed network), to index the data, toanalyze the data and/or to generate statistics based on the analysis oras part of the analysis. The analyzed data can be stored as derived data208. Results of the analysis or statistics can thereafter be transmittedback to a device providing ops data used to derive the results, to otherdevices, to a server providing a webpage to a user of the device, or toother non-device entities. For example, use statistics, use statisticsrelative to use of other devices, use patterns, and/or statisticssummarizing sensor readings can be transmitted. The results orstatistics can be provided via the Internet 162. In this manner,processing engines 206 can be configured and programmed to derive avariety of useful information from the operational data obtained fromthe smart home. A single server can include one or more engines.

The derived data can be highly beneficial at a variety of differentgranularities for a variety of useful purposes, ranging from explicitprogrammed control of the devices on a per-home, per-neighborhood, orper-region basis (for example, demand-response programs for electricalutilities), to the generation of inferential abstractions that canassist on a per-home basis (for example, an inference can be drawn thatthe homeowner has left for vacation and so security detection equipmentcan be put on heightened sensitivity), to the generation of statisticsand associated inferential abstractions that can be used for governmentor charitable purposes. For example, processing engines 206 can generatestatistics about device usage across a population of devices and sendthe statistics to device users, service providers or other entities(e.g., that have requested or may have provided monetary compensationfor the statistics). As specific illustrations, statistics can betransmitted to charities 222, governmental entities 224 (e.g., the Foodand Drug Administration or the Environmental Protection Agency),academic institutions 226 (e.g., university researchers), businesses 228(e.g., providing device warranties or service to related equipment), orutility companies 230. These entities can use the data to form programsto reduce energy usage, to preemptively service faulty equipment, toprepare for high service demands, to track past service performance,etc., or to perform any of a variety of beneficial functions or tasksnow known or hereinafter developed.

FIG. 3 illustrates an abstracted functional view of the extensibledevices and services platform of FIG. 2, with particular reference tothe processing engine 206 as well as the devices of the smart home. Eventhough the devices situated in the smart home will have an endlessvariety of different individual capabilities and limitations, they canall be thought of as sharing common characteristics in that each of themis a data consumer 302 (DC), a data source 304 (DS), a services consumer306 (SC), and a services source 308 (SS). Advantageously, in addition toproviding the essential control information needed for the devices toachieve their local and immediate objectives, the extensible devices andservices platform can also be configured to harness the large amount ofdata that is flowing out of these devices. In addition to enhancing oroptimizing the actual operation of the devices themselves with respectto their immediate functions, the extensible devices and servicesplatform can also be directed to “repurposing” that data in a variety ofautomated, extensible, flexible, and/or scalable ways to achieve avariety of useful objectives. These objectives may be predefined oradaptively identified based on, e.g., usage patterns, device efficiency,and/or user input (e.g., requesting specific functionality).

For example, FIG. 3 shows processing engine 206 as including a number ofparadigms 310. Processing engine 206 can include a managed servicesparadigm 310 a that monitors and manages primary or secondary devicefunctions. The device functions can include ensuring proper operation ofa device given user inputs, estimating that (e.g., and responding to) anintruder is or is attempting to be in a dwelling, detecting a failure ofequipment coupled to the device (e.g., a light bulb having burned out),implementing or otherwise responding to energy demand response events,or alerting a user of a current or predicted future event orcharacteristic. Processing engine 206 can further include anadvertising/communication paradigm 310 b that estimates characteristics(e.g., demographic information), desires and/or products of interest ofa user based on device usage. Services, promotions, products or upgradescan then be offered or automatically provided to the user. Processingengine 206 can further include a social paradigm 310 c that usesinformation from a social network, provides information to a socialnetwork (for example, based on device usage), processes data associatedwith user and/or device interactions with the social network platform.For example, a user's status as reported to their trusted contacts onthe social network could be updated to indicate when they are home basedon light detection, security system inactivation or device usagedetectors. As another example, a user may be able to share device-usagestatistics with other users. Processing engine 206 can include achallenges/rules/compliance/rewards paradigm 310 d that informs a userof challenges, rules, compliance regulations and/or rewards and/or thatuses operation data to determine whether a challenge has been met, arule or regulation has been complied with and/or a reward has beenearned. The challenges, rules or regulations can relate to efforts toconserve energy, to live safely (e.g., reducing exposure to toxins orcarcinogens), to conserve money and/or equipment life, to improvehealth, etc.

Processing engine can integrate or otherwise utilize extrinsicinformation 316 from extrinsic sources to improve the functioning of oneor more processing paradigms. Extrinsic information 316 can be used tointerpret operational data received from a device, to determine acharacteristic of the environment near the device (e.g., outside astructure that the device is enclosed in), to determine services orproducts available to the user, to identify a social network orsocial-network information, to determine contact information of entities(e.g., public-service entities such as an emergency-response team, thepolice or a hospital) near the device, etc., to identify statistical orenvironmental conditions, trends or other information associated with ahome or neighborhood, and so forth.

An extraordinary range and variety of benefits can be brought about by,and fit within the scope of, the described extensible devices andservices platform, ranging from the ordinary to the profound. Thus, inone “ordinary” example, each bedroom of the smart home can be providedwith a smoke/fire/CO alarm that includes an occupancy sensor, whereinthe occupancy sensor is also capable of inferring (e.g., by virtue ofmotion detection, facial recognition, audible sound patterns, etc.)whether the occupant is asleep or awake. If a serious fire event issensed, the remote security/monitoring service or fire department isadvised of how many occupants there are in each bedroom, and whetherthose occupants are still asleep (or immobile) or whether they haveproperly evacuated the bedroom. While this is, of course, a veryadvantageous capability accommodated by the described extensible devicesand services platform, there can be substantially more “profound”examples that can truly illustrate the potential of a larger“intelligence” that can be made available. By way of perhaps a more“profound” example, the same data bedroom occupancy data that is beingused for fire safety can also be “repurposed” by the processing engine206 in the context of a social paradigm of neighborhood childdevelopment and education. Thus, for example, the same bedroom occupancyand motion data discussed in the “ordinary” example can be collected andmade available for processing (properly anonymized) in which the sleeppatterns of schoolchildren in a particular ZIP code can be identifiedand tracked. Localized variations in the sleeping patterns of theschoolchildren may be identified and correlated, for example, todifferent nutrition programs in local schools.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system, according to someembodiments. HVAC system 103 provides heating, cooling, ventilation,and/or air handling for an enclosure, such as structure 150 depicted inFIG. 1. System 103 depicts a forced air type heating and cooling system,although according to other embodiments, other types of HVAC systemscould be used such as radiant heat based systems, heat-pump basedsystems, and others.

For carrying out the heating function, heating coils or elements 442within air handler 440 provide a source of heat using electricity or gasvia line 436. Cool air is drawn from the enclosure via return air duct446 through filter 470, using fan 438 and is heated through heatingcoils or elements 442. The heated air flows back into the enclosure atone or more locations via supply air duct system 452 and supply airregisters such as register 450. In cooling, an outside compressor 430passes a gas such as Freon through a set of heat exchanger coils andthen through an expansion valve. The gas then goes through line 432 tothe cooling coils or evaporator coils 434 in the air handler 440 whereit expands, cools and cools the air being circulated via fan 438. Ahumidifier 454 may optionally be included in various embodiments thatreturns moisture to the air before it passes through duct system 452.Although not shown in FIG. 4, alternate embodiments of HVAC system 103may have other functionality such as venting air to and from theoutside, one or more dampers to control airflow within the duct system452 and an emergency heating unit. Overall operation of HVAC system 103is selectively actuated by control electronics 412 communicating withthermostat 102 over control wires 448.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate a thermostat having a visually pleasing, smooth,sleek and rounded exterior appearance while at the same time includingone or more sensors for detecting occupancy and/or users, according tosome embodiments. FIG. 5A is front view, FIG. 5B is a bottom elevation,FIG. 5C is a right side elevation, and FIG. 5D is prospective view ofthermostat 102. Unlike many prior art thermostats, thermostat 102 has asleek, simple, uncluttered and elegant design that does not detract fromhome decoration, and indeed can serve as a visually pleasing centerpiecefor the immediate location in which it is installed. Moreover, userinteraction with thermostat 102 is facilitated and greatly enhanced overknown conventional thermostats by the design of thermostat 102. Thethermostat 102 includes control circuitry and is electrically connectedto an HVAC system 103, such as is shown in FIGS. 1-4. Thermostat 102 iswall mountable, is circular in shape, and has an outer rotatable ring512 for receiving user input. Thermostat 102 is circular in shape inthat it appears as a generally disk-like circular object when mounted onthe wall. Thermostat 102 has a large convex rounded front face lyinginside the outer ring 512. According to some embodiments, thermostat 102is approximately 80 mm in diameter and protrudes from the wall, whenwall mounted, by 32 mm. The outer rotatable ring 512 allows the user tomake adjustments, such as selecting a new setpoint temperature. Forexample, by rotating the outer ring 512 clockwise, the realtime (i.e.currently active) setpoint temperature can be increased, and by rotatingthe outer ring 512 counter-clockwise, the realtime setpoint temperaturecan be decreased. The front face of the thermostat 102 comprises a clearcover 514 that according to some embodiments is polycarbonate, and aFresnel lens 510 having an outer shape that matches the contours of thecurved outer front face of the thermostat 102. According to someembodiments, the Fresnel lens elements are formed on the interiorsurface of the Fresnel lens piece 510 such that they are not obviouslyvisible by viewing the exterior of the thermostat 102. Behind theFresnel lens is a passive infrared sensor 550 for detecting occupancy,and the Fresnel lens piece 510 is made from a high-density polyethylene(HDPE) that has an infrared transmission range appropriate forsensitivity to human bodies. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, the front edge ofrotating ring 512, front face 514 and Fresnel lens 510 are shaped suchthat they together form a, integrated convex rounded front face that hasa common outward arc or spherical shape gently arcing outward.

Although being formed from a single lens-like piece of material such aspolycarbonate, the cover 514 has two different regions or portionsincluding an outer portion 514 o and a central portion 514 i. Accordingto some embodiments, the cover 514 is painted or smoked around the outerportion 514 o, but leaves the central portion 514 i visibly clear so asto facilitate viewing of an electronic display 516 disposedthereunderneath. According to some embodiments, the curved cover 514acts as a lens that tends to magnify the information being displayed inelectronic display 516 to users. According to some embodiments thecentral electronic display 516 is a dot-matrix layout (i.e. individuallyaddressable) such that arbitrary shapes can be generated, rather thanbeing a segmented layout. According to some embodiments, a combinationof dot-matrix layout and segmented layout is employed. According to someembodiments, central display 516 is a backlit color liquid crystaldisplay (LCD). An example of information displayed on the electronicdisplay 516 is illustrated in FIG. 5A, and includes central numerals 520that are representative of a current setpoint temperature. Thethermostat 102 is preferably constructed such that the electronicdisplay 516 is at a fixed orientation and does not rotate with the outerring 512, so that the electronic display 516 remains easily read by theuser. For some embodiments, the cover 514 and Fresnel lens 510 alsoremain at a fixed orientation and do not rotate with the outer ring 512.According to one embodiment in which the diameter of the thermostat 102is about 80 mm, the diameter of the electronic display 516 is about 45mm. According to some embodiments the gently outwardly curved shape ofthe front surface of thermostat 102, which is made up of cover 514,Fresnel lens 510 and the front facing portion of ring 512, is spherical,and matches a sphere having a radius of between 100 mm and 150 mm.According to some embodiments, the radius of the spherical shape of thethermostat front is about 136 mm.

Motion sensing with PIR sensor 550 as well as other techniques can beused in the detection and/or predict of occupancy, as is describedfurther in the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,430, which isincorporated herein by reference. According to some embodiments,occupancy information is used in generating an effective and efficientscheduled program. A second downwardly-tilted PIR sensor 552 is providedto detect an approaching user. The proximity sensor 552 can be used todetect proximity in the range of about one meter so that the thermostat102 can initiate “waking up” when the user is approaching the thermostatand prior to the user touching the thermostat. Such use of proximitysensing is useful for enhancing the user experience by being “ready” forinteraction as soon as, or very soon after the user is ready to interactwith the thermostat. Further, the wake-up-on-proximity functionalityalso allows for energy savings within the thermostat by “sleeping” whenno user interaction is taking place our about to take place.

According to some embodiments, for the combined purposes of inspiringuser confidence and further promoting visual and functional elegance,the thermostat 102 is controlled by only two types of user input, thefirst being a rotation of the outer ring 512 as shown in FIG. 5A(referenced hereafter as a “rotate ring” or “ring rotation” input), andthe second being an inward push on head unit 540 until an audible and/ortactile “click” occurs (referenced hereafter as an “inward click” orsimply “click” input). For such embodiments, the head unit 540 is anassembly that includes all of the outer ring 512, cover 514, electronicdisplay 516, and the Fresnel lens 510. When pressed inwardly by theuser, the head unit 540 travels inwardly by a small amount, such as 0.5mm, against an interior metallic dome switch (not shown), and thenspringably travels back outwardly by that same amount when the inwardpressure is released, providing a satisfying tactile “click” sensationto the user's hand, along with a corresponding gentle audible clickingsound. Thus, for the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5D, an inward click can beachieved by direct pressing on the outer ring 512 itself, or by indirectpressing of the outer ring by virtue of providing inward pressure on thecover 514, lens 510, or by various combinations thereof. For otherembodiments, the thermostat 102 can be mechanically configured such thatonly the outer ring 512 travels inwardly for the inward click input,while the cover 514 and lens 510 remain motionless. It is to beappreciated that a variety of different selections and combinations ofthe particular mechanical elements that will travel inwardly to achievethe “inward click” input are within the scope of the present teachings,whether it be the outer ring 512 itself, some part of the cover 514, orsome combination thereof. However, it has been found particularlyadvantageous to provide the user with an ability to quickly go back andforth between registering “ring rotations” and “inward clicks” with asingle hand and with minimal amount of time and effort involved, and sothe ability to provide an inward click directly by pressing the outerring 512 has been found particularly advantageous, since the user'sfingers do not need to be lifted out of contact with the device, or slidalong its surface, in order to go between ring rotations and inwardclicks. Moreover, by virtue of the strategic placement of the electronicdisplay 516 centrally inside the rotatable ring 512, a further advantageis provided in that the user can naturally focus their attention on theelectronic display throughout the input process, right in the middle ofwhere their hand is performing its functions. The combination ofintuitive outer ring rotation, especially as applied to (but not limitedto) the changing of a thermostat's setpoint temperature, convenientlyfolded together with the satisfying physical sensation of inwardclicking, together with accommodating natural focus on the electronicdisplay in the central midst of their fingers' activity, addssignificantly to an intuitive, seamless, and downright fun userexperience. Further descriptions of advantageous mechanicaluser-interfaces and related designs, which are employed according tosome embodiments, can be found in U.S. Ser. No. 13/033,573, U.S. Ser.No. 29/386,021, and U.S. Ser. No. 13/199,108, all of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIGS. 5B and 5C are bottom and right side elevation views of thethermostat 102, which has been found to provide a particularly pleasingand adaptable visual appearance when viewed against a variety ofdifferent wall colors and wall textures in a variety of different homeenvironments and home settings. While the thermostat itself willfunctionally adapt to the user's schedule as described herein and in oneor more of the commonly assigned incorporated applications, the outershape is specially configured to convey a “chameleon” quality orcharacteristic such that the overall device appears to naturally blendin, in a visual and decorative sense, with many of the most common wallcolors and wall textures found in home and business environments, atleast in part because it will appear to assume the surrounding colorsand even textures when viewed from many different angles.

According to some embodiments, the thermostat 102 includes a processingsystem 560, display driver 564 and a wireless communications system 566.The processing system 560 is adapted to cause the display driver 564 anddisplay 516 to display information to the user, and to receiver userinput via the rotatable ring 512. The processing system 560, accordingto some embodiments, is capable of carrying out the governance of theoperation of thermostat 102 including various user interface features.The processing system 560 is further programmed and configured to carryout other operations as described further hereinbelow and/or in otherones of the commonly assigned incorporated applications. For example,processing system 560 is further programmed and configured to maintainand update a thermodynamic model for the enclosure in which the HVACsystem is installed, such as described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,463, andin International Patent App. No. PCT/US11/51579, both of which areincorporated herein by reference. According to some embodiments, thewireless communications system 566 is used to communicate with devicessuch as personal computers and/or other thermostats or HVAC systemcomponents, which can be peer-to-peer communications, communicationsthrough one or more servers located on a private network, or and/orcommunications through a cloud-based service.

According to some embodiments, for ease of installation, configurationand/or upgrading, especially by a non-expert installer such as a user,the thermostat 102 includes a head unit 540 and a backplate (or walldock) 542. As is described hereinabove, thermostat 102 is wall mountedand has circular in shape and has an outer rotatable ring 512 forreceiving user input. Head unit 540 of thermostat 102 is slidablymountable onto back plate 542 and slidably detachable therefrom.According to some embodiments the connection of the head unit 540 tobackplate 542 can be accomplished using magnets, bayonet, latches andcatches, tabs or ribs with matching indentations, or simply friction onmating portions of the head unit 540 and backplate 542. Also shown inFIG. 5A is a rechargeable battery 522 that is recharged using rechargingcircuitry 524 that uses power from backplate that is either obtained viapower harvesting (also referred to as power stealing and/or powersharing) from the HVAC system control circuit(s) or from a common wire,if available, as described in further detail in co-pending patentapplication U.S. Ser. Nos. 13/034,674, and 13/034,678, which areincorporated by reference herein. According to some embodiments,rechargeable battery 522 is a single cell lithium-ion, or alithium-polymer battery.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the thermostat 102 with respect to its two maincomponents, which are the head unit 540 and the backplate 542. Furthertechnical and/or functional descriptions of various ones of theelectrical and mechanical components illustrated hereinbelow can befound in one or more of the commonly assigned applications, such as U.S.Ser. No. 13/199,108, incorporated herein by reference. In the drawingsshown herein, the “z” direction is outward from the wall, the “y”direction is the toe-to-head direction relative to a walk-up user, andthe “x” direction is the user's left-to-right direction.

FIGS. 6C-6D illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the head unit 540 with respect to its primarycomponents. Head unit 540 includes, back cover 636, bottom frame 634,battery assembly 632, the outer ring 512 (which is manipulated for ringrotations), head unit frontal assembly 630, front lens 514, and Fresnellens 510. Electrical components on the head unit frontal assembly 630can connect to electrical components on the back plate 542 by virtue ofribbon cables and/or other plug type electrical connectors on back cover636. Head unit frontal assembly 630 is secured to head unit back cover636 and bottom frame 634 via four bosses. The outer ring 512 is therebyheld between a bearing surface on the head unit top frame 652 (shown inFIGS. 6E and 6F, infra) and bearing surfaces on the bottom frame 634. Inparticular motion of the ring 512 in z direction is constrained by flatbearing surfaces on the top frame 652 and bottom frame 634, while motionof the ring in x and y directions are constrained by circular roundedsurfaces on the bottom frame 634. According to some embodiments, thebearing surfaces of the bottom frame 634 and/or the top frame 652 aregreased and/or otherwise lubricated to both smooth and dampen rotationalmovement for ring 512. Attached to top frame 652 is the head unitprinted circuit board (PCB) 654 on which much of the head unit circuitryis mounted including some or all of processing system 560, displaydriver 564, wireless communication system 566 and battery rechargingcircuitry 524 as shown and described with respect to FIG. 5A, as well asone or more additional memory storage components. According to someembodiments, circuitry and components are mounted on both sides of PCB654. A shielding can 656 (visible in FIG. 6D) surrounds most or all ofthe head unit circuitry and components on PCB 654 and serves to shieldthe circuitry and components from electromagnetic interference. Althoughnot visible, according to some embodiments, shielding can 656 surroundscircuitry and components on both sides of PCB 654.

Battery assembly 632 includes a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery 522,which for one preferred embodiment has a nominal voltage of 3.7 voltsand a nominal capacity of 560 mAh. To extend battery life, however, thebattery 522 is normally not charged beyond 450 mAh by the thermostatbattery charging circuitry. Moreover, although the battery 522 is ratedto be capable of being charged to 4.2 volts, the thermostat batterycharging circuitry normally does not charge it beyond 3.95 volts.Battery assembly 632 also includes connecting wires 666, and a batterymounting film 664 that is attached to battery 522 using a strongadhesive and to the rear shielding can 656 of head unit PCB 654 using arelatively weaker adhesive. By using a weaker adhesive to mount the film664 of battery assembly 632 to shielding can 656 of the PCB 654,subsequent replacement of battery assembly 632 (including battery 522)is facilitated. According to some embodiments, the battery assembly 632is user-replaceable.

FIGS. 6E-6F illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the head unit frontal assembly 630 with respect to itsprimary components. Head unit frontal assembly 630 comprises a head unittop frame 652, head unit PCB 654, and LCD module 662. Daughter board 660connects to the head unit PCB 654 and includes an optical fingernavigation (OFN) module that is configured and positioned to senserotation of the outer ring 512. The OFN module is directed radiallyoutwardly (that is, perpendicular to the z-axis and away from the centerof the thermostat). The OFN module uses methods analogous to theoperation of optical computer mice to sense the movement of a texturedsurface on an inner face of the outer ring 512. Notably, the OFN moduleis one of the very few sensors that is controlled by the relativelypower-intensive head unit microprocessor rather than the relativelylow-power back plate microprocessor. This is achievable withoutexcessive power drain implications because the head unit microprocessorwill invariably be awake already when the user is manually turning thedial, so there is no excessive wake-up power drain anyway.Advantageously, very fast response can also be provided by the head unitmicroprocessor. Also visible in FIGS. 6E and 6F is Fresnel lens 510 thatoperates in conjunction with two PIR motion sensors mounted on PIR board650. Two or more temperature sensors are also located in the head unit540 and cooperate to acquire reliable and accurate room temperaturedata. One of the temperature sensors is located on daughter board 660and the other is mounted on the head unit PCB 654.

FIGS. 6G-6H illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the back plate unit 542 with respect to its primarycomponents, according to some embodiments. Back plate unit 542 comprisesa back plate rear plate 682, a back plate circuit board 680, and a backplate cover 670. Visible in FIG. 6G are the HVAC wire connectors 684that include integrated mechanical wire insertion sensing circuitry, andrelatively large capacitors 686 that are used by part of the powerstealing circuitry that is mounted on the back plate circuit board 680.According to some embodiments, backplate 542 includes electronics and atemperature/humidity sensor in housing. Wire connectors 684 are providedto allow for connection to HVAC system wires, which pass though thelarge central circular opening 690, which is visible in each of thebackplate primary components. Also visible in each of the backplateprimary components are two mounting holes 692 and 694 for use in fixingthe backplate to the wall. The single top wall-mounting hole 692 onbackplate has been found to allow for self-leveling during installation,thereby further enhancing the ease of a non-expert installation of thethermostat 102. Also visible in FIGS. 6G and 6H are bubble level 672 andholder 674 for further facilitating user-installability of thethermostat 102.

FIGS. 7A-7B show front and rear perspective views, respectively, of thePIR board 650, according to some embodiments. The larger PIR sensor 550is mounted parallel to the wall (i.e. the sensor plane is perpendicularto the z-axis), and is used to detect motion associated with occupancy.The smaller PIR sensor 552 is located above the larger PIR sensor 550and is angled slightly downwards, so as to improve detection of anapproaching user. FIGS. 7C and 7D show front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the Fresnel lens 510, according to some embodiments. Ascan be seen in FIG. 7C, the front exterior surface 720 of Fresnel lens510 is smooth and curved so as to be integrated with the shape of restof the outer surface of the thermostat 102, namely the outer surface ofthe cover 514 and the front edge of outer ring 512, as shown in FIGS.5A-5D, supra. In addition to having the contour of the front surface 720of lens 510 matched to rest of the front surface of thermostat 102,having a color match between the surface 720 of lens 510 and the outerportion 514 o of cover 514 has also been found create a visuallypleasing device as well as enhance the user interface by lessening anydistraction to the user. According to some embodiments, the outerportion 514 o of cover 514 is smoked or painted black, and the lens 510is made from a black color HDPE material that has an infraredtransmission range appropriate for sensitivity to human bodies.

As can be seen in FIG. 7D, on the inner, or rear surface of Fresnel lens510 the Fresnel lens elements 710 are formed, including six separatelenslets 712. Each of the 6 lenslets 712, is a separate Fresnel lens.Each lenslet should be designed depending on the location andorientation in the system with respect to the PIR sensors, as well asdepending on the monitoring area desired to be viewable by the PIRsensors. In selecting the number of lenslets, there is a tradeoffbetween light collection and size of each zone. It has been found the6-element lens is suitable for a wide-range of applications, althoughother numbers and sizes of lenslets can be used. Also visible in FIG. 7Dis carved out section 714 for positioning of a temperature sensor thatis mounted on the daughter board 660 shown in FIGS. 6E and 6F.

FIGS. 7E and 7F are a side view and cross section view, respectively,showing the relative positioning of the PIR sensors and the Fresnellens, according to some embodiments. The approximate field of view ofthe larger PIR sensor 550 is shown by the dashed arrows, and theapproximate field of view of the smaller PIR sensor 552 is shown by thedashed-dotted arrows. As can be seen the larger PIR sensor 550 used foroccupancy has a primarily front-facing field of view while the smallerPIR sensor 552 used for anticipating an user wishing to directlyinteract with the thermostat has a primarily downward-facing field ofview. Note that in the embodiments shown, an internal surface of the topframe 652 partially obscures the field of view of PIR sensor 552 so asto further limit the sensor's sensitivity motion relatively close to thethermostat. Note that in the embodiments shown, the PIR sensor 552 isdirected through the same Fresnel lens 510 as the forward facing PIRsensor 550. According to some alternate embodiments separate lensletscan be used for the smaller PIR sensor 552, or an entirely differentlens piece could be used.

FIGS. 8A-8B are diagrams illustrating considerations in designingforward looking and downward looking PIR sensor fields of view,according to some embodiments. Thermostat 102 is shown mounted on a wall810. PIR sensor 552 within the thermostat 510 has a downwardly directedfield of view as shown by the dashed-dotted arrows. An approaching user800 who may wish to imminently interact with the thermostat 102. Inorder to conserve power in its rechargeable battery, thermostat 102turns off or puts certain components to sleep, such as its head unitmicroprocessor, LCD display, etc. It has been found that anticipating anapproaching user greatly improves the user's interactive experience withthe thermostat since the sleeping components can be woken up before theuser actually touches the thermostat. In general, the longer it takesfor the components to wake-up, the further away the distance d should bedesigned. However, there is a trade-off since having a larger distance dcauses more “false alarms” in which the thermostat wakes when a usersimply is walking past the thermostat. In designing the downward fieldof view of the second PIR sensor 552, a cone or zone on the floorimmediately in front of the wall-mounted thermostat should beconsidered. It has been found that downward tilting of the face ofsensor 552 by 15 degrees, as shown in FIG. 7E, is suitable given theinternal structures and the view through the Fresnel lens 510. Tiltingthe sensor 552 has been found to reduce losses due to reflections(allowing more energy to reach the sensor 552), as well as increase theamount of sensor area that can “see” through the Fresnel lens pattern710 on lens 510. It has been found that the distance d should be about1-2 meters, which typically allows for adequate time for the head unitmicroprocessor and LCD display to turn on (which takes less than 1second) before the user touches the unit. A distance of between 1-2meters has been found to provide suitable advanced warning for waking upthe head unit, without causing too many false alarms (e.g. waking thehead unit when someone just walks by). In particular, according to someembodiments a maximum view angle of 45 degrees for the sensor 552 for anaverage wall mounting height of 1.5 meters has been found to be suitablefor a distance d of 1.5 meters. Also shown in FIG. 8A is the verticalfield of view of the larger PIR sensor 550. It has been found foroccupancy sensing purposes a vertical field of view from three degreesabove horizontal to 13 degrees below horizontal (about 16 degrees total)is suitable. The field of view of sensor 550 is shown as Zone A, and thefield of view of the sensor 552 is shown as Zone B.

In FIG. 8B shows the horizontal fields of view of the PIR sensors,according to some embodiments. It has been found that horizontal fieldof view of about 170 degrees can be achieved and is suitable for theseapplications. A suitable range of the occupancy sensing PIR 550 is about10 meters, according to some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8B.

FIGS. 9A-9C show further detail of design consideration for a Fresnellens, according to some embodiments. FIG. 9A shows a rear view of theFresnel lens 510 including a lens portion 710 that consists of sixindividual lenslets 910, 912, 914, 916, 918 and 920. The horizontal andvertical angular coverage of the each lenslet 910, 912, 914, 916, 918and 920, should be evaluated for each of the two PIR sensors 550 and 552as shown for in FIGS. 8A-8B. Additionally, the relative lensletefficiency should also be evaluated, in designing a suitable Fresnellens. FIG. 9B shows the dimensions of each of the six lenslets 910, 912,914, 916, 918 and 920, according to some embodiments. In the designshown, the Fresnel lens 510 is curved to match the outer curved surfaceof the thermostat, which is a sphere of about 135.7 mm radius. Eachlenslet 910, 912, 914, 916, 918 and 920 can be modeled as a rectanglethat is tilted corresponding to the individual off-axis segments on thesphere. The effective focal length of each lenslet and the placement ofthe focal center points of each lenslet should be designed so as tocompensate for the lenslets being on a spherical surface so that theFresnel lens 510 can match the contour of the overall thermostat frontexterior. In the design shown, it has been found that an effective focallength of 9 mm for the two outer lenslets 910 and 920, and 7.7 mm forthe four central lenslets 912, 914, 916 and 918. Additionally, thecenters of the lenslets are displaced vertically and horizontally tomaintain the desired vertical angle of coverage for Zone A (for PIRsensor 550). FIG. 9C shows an example of simple ray trace diagramshowing infrared energy paths through each lenslet to sensor 550. Notethat for motion detection the sensor surface 550 should be considered attwo slightly horizontally separated sensor areas, each having its ownfield of view for each of the six lenslets. Similarly for sensor 552 anapproaching user can be detected using two areas on sensor 552 separatedby a vertical distance.

FIGS. 10A-10B are perspective and cross-section views, respectively,showing a temperature sensor mounted on a daughter board and thermallycoupled to the Fresnel lens, according to some embodiments. Thetemperature sensor 1010 is mounted just behind and is thermally coupledto the Fresnel lens 510. The temperature sensor 1010 is mounted ondaughter board 660, which is also used to mount OFN module 1012 forsensing rotational motion of the outer ring 512. The temperature sensor1010 is positioned such that it is very close to a carved out section714 of the Fresnel lens piece 510. According to some embodiments,thermal grease is used between the temperature sensor 1010 and the HDPEmaterial of lens 510 in order to enhance thermal transfer between theambient air outside the thermostat. FIG. 10B is a cross section showingthe relative position of the temperature sensor 1010 and the Fresnellens 510.

According to some embodiments, a second temperature sensor is also usedfor detect ambient temperature. The second temperature sensor is mountedon head unit PCB 654 (shown in FIGS. 6C, 6D, 6E and 6F). By mounting thesecond temperature sensor closer to the various heat sources within thethermostat 102, the difference between the two sensor readings can beused to the decrease effect of heat source on ambient temperaturereadings. Such use of two separated temperature sensor, one being undermuch greater influence of internal heat sources than the other,significantly increases accuracy of ambient temperature calculationswithout the use of significant venting which would distract from theoverall visually pleasing appearance and user interface experience. Forfurther details on ambient temperature calculations based on twoseparated temperature sensors, see co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/199,108, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Although the integrated shaped Fresnel lens has been thus far describedwith respect to a thermostat, according to some embodiments theintegrated shaped Fresnel lens can be used in a number of other devicesthat use PIR for occupancy detection and/or user interactionanticipation, especially for devices in visually pleasing exteriordesign is important. Examples include: home alarm systems, hazarddetection units; entryway interface devices, wall light switches, wallplug interfaces, appliances such as ovens, refrigerators, wall airconditioners, televisions, washers and dryers, lights, stereos, intercomsystems, garage door openers, floor fans, and pool heating systems, someof which are shown in FIG. 1.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be further appreciated that the termthermostat, as used hereinabove and hereinbelow, can include thermostatshaving direct control wires to an HVAC system, and can further includethermostats that do not connect directly with the HVAC system, but thatsense an ambient temperature at one location in an enclosure andcooperatively communicate by wired or wireless data connections with aseparate thermostat unit located elsewhere in the enclosure, wherein theseparate thermostat unit does have direct control wires to the HVACsystem. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the above-describedembodiments, but instead is defined by the appended claims in light oftheir full scope of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermostat configured to be wall mounted,comprising: a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-sectionand a central axis generally perpendicular to a wall when the thermostatis wall-mounted, the frustum-shaped shell body including a sidewall thatextends along a length the central axis between first and second ends ofthe frustum-shaped shell body, the first end of the frustum-shaped shellbody being wall-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the secondend of the frustum-shaped shell body being user-facing when thethermostat is wall-mounted, the first end of the frustum-shaped shellbody having a first diameter and the second end of the frustum-shapedshell body having a second, larger diameter; a circular rotatable ringmounted proximate the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body, thecircular rotatable ring having an axis of rotation generallyperpendicular to the wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted, thecircular rotatable ring being user rotatable about the axis of rotation,wherein the circular rotatable ring slides about a frame of thethermostat and the circular rotatable ring receives user input; acircular cover mounted proximate the second end of the frustum-shapedshell body, the circular cover having a central axis generallyperpendicular to the wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted, thecircular cover comprising a clear circular center portion surrounded bya colored outer portion, wherein the clear circular center portionpermits light emitted from a dot-matrix color display element to passthrough the circular cover; at least one temperature sensor for use insensing an ambient air temperature; a passive infrared (PIR) sensor thatsenses infrared radiation to detect a proximal user presence, the PIRsensor being located between the second end of the frustum-shaped shellbody and the circular cover, and the PIR sensor being user-facing whenthe thermostat is wall-mounted; a lens, wherein the PIR sensor sensesinfrared radiation through the lens to detect the proximal userpresence; a plurality of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and airconditioning) wire terminals configured to receive a respectiveplurality of HVAC wires; the dot-matrix color display element mounted ata location between the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body andthe circular cover, the dot-matrix color display element and thecircular cover do not rotate when the circular rotatable ring is rotatedand the thermostat is wall-mounted; an audio output device to outputsound; and a processing system provided in operative communication withthe plurality of HVAC wire terminals, the circular rotatable ring, thedot-matrix color display element, the PIR sensor, the audio outputdevice, and the at least one temperature sensor, the processing systemconfigured to: determine a user-selected temperature value based on userrotation of the circular rotatable ring; cause the dot-matrix colordisplay element to display a numerical value representative of thesensed ambient air temperature; send a control signal to an HVAC systemvia at least one of the HVAC wire terminals based at least in part on acomparison of the user-selected temperature value and the sensed ambientair temperature; maintain the dot-matrix color display in a non-activestate in an absence of the detection of the proximal user presence bythe PIR sensor; activate the dot-matrix color display element inresponse to the detection of the proximal user presence; maintain thedot-matrix color display in an active state during a period in which theproximal user presence is detected; cause the audio output device tooutput synthesized audible ticks in correspondence with user rotation ofthe circular rotatable ring; and return the dot-matrix color display tothe non-active state when the proximal user presence is no longerdetected.
 2. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein: the dot-matrix colordisplay element is non-circular; and the colored outer portion of thecircular cover masks a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrixcolor display element so as to create a circular graphical userinterface.
 3. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface ofthe lens matches a contour of an exterior surface the circular cover. 4.The thermostat according to claim 3, wherein a color of the lenssubstantially matches the colored portion of the circular cover.
 5. Thethermostat of claim 1, wherein the PIR sensor is located within thethermostat on an axis that perpendicularly intersects the central axis.6. The thermostat of claim 1, the thermostat further comprising: awall-mountable back plate configured to detachably couple to thefrustum-shaped shell body so as to provide electrical power to theprocessing system and the dot-matrix color display element, the backplate comprising: the plurality of HVAC wire terminals configured toreceive the plurality of HVAC wires; labels associated with theplurality of HVAC wire terminals to aid thermostat installation; and abubble level to aid level wall mounting of the thermostat.
 7. Thethermostat according to claim 1, wherein the dot-matrix color displaypresents a numerical value representative of the user-selected setpointtemperature at a location along a vertical axis that perpendicularlyintersects the central axis and extends vertically in a directionparallel to the wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted.
 8. Thethermostat of claim 1, wherein the circular rotatable ring rotatablyslides about the frame of the thermostat, wherein a correspondingbearing surface of the frame is greased or otherwise lubricated todampen the rotational movement of the circular rotatable ring.
 9. Thethermostat of claim 1, the outside surface of the sidewall having ametallic appearing finish, the sidewall increasing in diameter along thecentral axis from the first end of the frustum-shaped shell body to thesecond end of the frustum-shaped shell body such that an acute angle isformed exterior to the thermostat between the outside surface of thesidewall and the wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted, whereby anaturally blending visual appearance of the thermostat with the wall ispromoted by virtue of the frustum-shaped shell body, themetallic-appearing finish, and the acute angle when the thermostat ismounted to the wall.
 10. A thermostat configured to be wall mounted,comprising: a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-sectionand a central axis generally perpendicular to a wall when the thermostatis wall-mounted, the frustum-shaped shell body including a sidewall thatextends along a length the central axis between first and second ends ofthe frustum-shaped shell body, the first end of the frustum-shaped shellbody being wall-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the secondend of the frustum-shaped shell body being user-facing when thethermostat is wall-mounted, the first end of the frustum-shaped shellbody having a first diameter and the second end of the frustum-shapedshell body having a second, larger diameter; a circular rotatable ringmounted proximate the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body, thecircular rotatable ring comprising an axis of rotation generallyperpendicular to the wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted, thecircular rotatable ring being user rotatable about the axis of rotation;a circular cover mounted proximate the second end of the frustum-shapedshell body, the circular cover comprising a central axis generallyperpendicular to the wall when the thermostat is wall-mounted, thecircular cover comprising a clear circular center portion surrounded bya colored outer portion; at least one temperature sensor for use insensing an ambient air temperature; a passive infrared (PIR) sensor thatsenses infrared radiation to detect a proximal user presence, the PIRsensor being located between the second end of the frustum-shaped shellbody and the circular cover, and the PIR sensor being user-facing whenthe thermostat is wall-mounted; a plurality of HVAC (heating,ventilation, and air conditioning) wire terminals configured to receivea plurality of HVAC wires; a dot-matrix color display element mounted ata location between the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body andthe circular cover, the dot-matrix color display element and thecircular cover do not rotate when the circular rotatable ring is rotatedand the thermostat is wall-mounted; an audio output device to outputsound; and a processing system provided in operative communication withthe plurality of HVAC wire terminals, the circular rotatable ring, thenon-circular dot-matrix color display element, the PIR sensor, and theat least one temperature sensor, the processing system configured to: inresponse to receiving a signal from the PIR sensor indicative of theproximal user presence, activate the dot-matrix color display element;cause the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to display anumerical value representative of a temperature value; cause the audiooutput device to output synthesized audible ticks in correspondence withuser rotation of the circular rotatable ring; determine a user-selectedtemperature value based on the user rotation of the circular rotatablering; and send a control signal to an HVAC system via at least one ofthe HVAC wire terminals based at least in part on a comparison of theuser-selected temperature value and the sensed ambient temperature; andwherein the dot-matrix color display element is non-circular and theclear circular center portion of the circular cover permits a circularportion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element to bevisible through the circular cover; and the colored outer portion of thecircular cover masks a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrixcolor display element so as to create a circular graphical userinterface.
 11. The thermostat of claim 10, the thermostat furthercomprising: a lens through which the PIR sensor receives the infraredradiation, wherein an exterior surface of the lens matches a contour ofan exterior surface the circular cover.
 12. The thermostat according toclaim 11, wherein a color of the lens substantially matches the coloredportion of the circular cover.
 13. The thermostat of claim 10, whereinthe PIR sensor is located within the thermostat on a vertical axis thatperpendicularly intersects the central axis and the vertical axisextends vertically when the thermostat is wall-mounted.
 14. Thethermostat of claim 10, the thermostat further comprising: awall-mountable back plate configured to detachably couple to thefrustum-shaped shell body so as to provide electrical power to theprocessing system and the dot-matrix color display element, the backplate comprising: the plurality of HVAC wire terminals configured toreceive the plurality of HVAC wires; labels associated with theplurality of HVAC wire terminals to aid thermostat installation; and abubble level to aid level wall mounting.
 15. A thermostat forcontrolling an HVAC system, a method for interacting with a user of thethermostat, the method comprising: detecting infrared radiation by a PIRsensor of the thermostat, the infrared radiation being indicative of aproximal user presence; based on the detected infrared radiation by thePIR sensor of the thermostat, activating, by a processing system of thethermostat, a dot-matrix color display element, wherein: the thermostatcomprises a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-sectionand a central axis generally perpendicular to a wall when the thermostatis wall-mounted, the frustum-shaped shell body including a sidewall thatextends along a length the central axis between first and second ends ofthe frustum-shaped shell body, the first end of the frustum-shaped shellbody being wall-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted, the secondend of the frustum-shaped shell body being user-facing when thethermostat is wall-mounted, the first end of the frustum-shaped shellbody having a first diameter and the second end of the frustum-shapedshell body having a second, larger diameter; the thermostat comprises acircular rotatable ring mounted proximate the second end of thefrustum-shaped shell body, the circular rotatable ring having an axis ofrotation generally perpendicular to the wall when the thermostat iswall-mounted, the circular rotatable ring being user rotatable about theaxis of rotation, wherein the circular rotatable ring slides about aframe of the thermostat and the circular rotatable ring receives userinput; and the dot-matrix color display element is mounted at a locationbetween the second end of the frustum-shaped shell body and a circularcover of the thermostat, the dot-matrix color display element and thecircular cover do not rotate when the circular rotatable ring is rotatedand the thermostat is wall-mounted; maintaining the dot-matrix colordisplay in an inactive state in an absence of the detection of theproximal user presence by the PIR sensor; maintaining the dot-matrixcolor display in an active state during a period in which the proximaluser presence is detected by the PIR sensor; causing, by the processingsystem, the dot-matrix color display element to display a numericalvalue representative of a temperature value; causing, by the processingsystem, an audio-output device of the thermostat, to output synthesizedaudible ticks in correspondence with user rotation of the circularrotatable ring; determining, by the processing system, a user-selectedtemperature value based on user rotation of the circular rotatable ring,the circular rotatable ring being mounted proximate the second end ofthe frustum-shaped shell body, the circular rotatable ring comprising anaxis of rotation generally perpendicular to the wall when the thermostatis wall-mounted, the circular rotatable ring being user rotatable aboutthe axis of rotation; determining, by the processing system, an ambienttemperature based on at least one ambient temperature measurement fromat least one ambient temperature sensor of the thermostat; sending, bythe processing system, a control signal to the HVAC system via at leastone wire terminal of a plurality of HVAC wire terminals based at leastin part on a comparison of the user-selected temperature value and thedetermined ambient temperature, wherein the plurality of HVAC wireterminals are configured to receive a plurality of HVAC wires; andreturning the dot-matrix color display to the inactive state when theproximal user presence is no longer detected.
 16. The method forinteracting with the user of the thermostat of claim 15, wherein theuser presence is detected using infrared radiation received by the PIRsensor through a lens, wherein an exterior surface of the lens matches acontour and a color of an exterior surface the circular cover.
 17. Themethod for interacting with the user of the thermostat of claim 15,wherein the PIR sensor is located within the thermostat on an axis thatperpendicularly intersects the central axis.
 18. The method forinteracting with the user of the thermostat of claim 15, furthercomprising: coupling the frustum-shaped shell body with a wall-mountableblack plate configured to detachably couple with the frustum-shapedshell body so as to provide electrical power to the processing systemand the dot-matrix color display.
 19. The method for interacting withthe user of the thermostat of claim 15, further comprising dampeningrotation of the circular rotatable ring that rotatably slides about theframe of the thermostat, such dampening being caused by a bearingsurface of the frame that is greased or otherwise lubricated to dampenthe rotational movement of the circular rotatable ring.